During a news conference earlier today, representatives of the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Traffic Safety Partnership, which includes the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, Evansville Police Department and Indiana State Police announced details about and answered questions related to the enhanced enforcement effort which is already underway as part of the annual statewide “Safe Family Travels” drunk driving and seat belt enforcement campaign. This high-visibility enforcement effort, also known as Operation Pull Over Blitz 77, which runs from November 08, 2013, through December 01, 2013.

Since the enforcement campaign began on November 08, Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Deputies, Evansville Police Officers and local Indiana State Police Troopers have arrested over seventeen (17) impaired drivers.

This drunk driving and seat belt enforcement campaign consists of saturation patrols and may include a DUI checkpoint as part of a comprehensive effort to promote seat belt usage and curb drunk driving over the Thanksgiving holiday. Anyone found to be driving impaired will be arrested. Occupants not using seat belts or who are not properly restrained will be issued a citation.

In Indiana, more than 50 percent of fatalities in auto accidents are directly attributable to occupants who elected not to buckle up. In November 2012, there were 355 alcohol-related crashes across Indiana resulting in 155 injuries and 5 fatalities. In the Evansville-Vanderburgh County area alone there were five (5) alcohol related crashes resulting in seven (7) injuries during that time period.

If you see motorist who you suspect of driving impaired, in a safe manner, please call 911 immediately. Be prepared to report the location, description, and direction the vehicle is traveling.

Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for kids between the ages of 8 and 15. For families with young children it is important to have a properly installed child safety seat or booster seat for each child. Parents can visit www.vanderburghsheriff.com to obtain information regarding the proper installation of child safety seats. If you need a car seat but are unable to afford one or if you are unsure how to install a car seat correctly, please contact our office at (812) 421-6201 and ask to make an appointment with one of our technicians. The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office is committed to ensuring all children in our community have the opportunity to obtain a safe means of travel.